數(shù)據(jù)格式

　　地圖服務(wù)器支持多種數(shù)據(jù)，包括光柵圖片以及矢量格式。不管圖片的分辨率大小，矢量數(shù)據(jù)都非常簡(jiǎn)約并精確。它非常適合用于呈現(xiàn)城鎮(zhèn)、街道、人口分布區(qū)域以及國(guó)家邊界等元素。

　　矢量數(shù)據(jù)的例子包括美國(guó)人口普查數(shù)據(jù)，它提供了整個(gè)美國(guó)的細(xì)致到街道的詳細(xì)信息。另外一個(gè)例子是NIMA的世界數(shù)字圖（VMap0/VPF），它提供了整個(gè)世界的國(guó)家、海岸線、國(guó)界、人口分布、交通、工業(yè)、植被以及其它的數(shù)據(jù)。這兩組數(shù)據(jù)都能在GLG地圖服務(wù)器中使用。

　　光柵圖片數(shù)據(jù)能通過(guò)提供生動(dòng)華美的信息極大地改善地圖圖片的外觀及精密程度以充實(shí)覆蓋在圖片之上的附加矢量數(shù)據(jù)（道路數(shù)據(jù)等）。NASA Earth Image dataset是典型的光柵圖片數(shù)據(jù)的例子，它頻繁地被使用在多種地球圖片中。地圖服務(wù)器提供多個(gè)特殊的半透明與透明模式以覆蓋在其它光柵與矢量層上的半透明天氣地圖。

　　海拔數(shù)據(jù)是光柵圖片數(shù)據(jù)中一種特殊的情況，它能以彩色的閾值或投影圖片顯示海拔。它同樣能用來(lái)在地圖的特定點(diǎn)請(qǐng)求海拔。

網(wǎng)頁(yè)服務(wù)器或獨(dú)立的庫(kù)API運(yùn)用模式

　　GLG地圖服務(wù)器能以基于網(wǎng)頁(yè)的GIS地圖服務(wù)器或獨(dú)立的庫(kù)API的模式運(yùn)行。在獨(dú)立模式下，地圖服務(wù)器能以連接到程序的C/C++庫(kù)的模式工作：該模式可用于那些希望避免使用互聯(lián)網(wǎng)連接來(lái)接收地圖圖片的并安裝在本地機(jī)器上的應(yīng)用程序。當(dāng)以庫(kù)的模式連接到應(yīng)用程序時(shí)，地圖服務(wù)器不需要任何連接到外部的連接，它為實(shí)時(shí)、內(nèi)置的應(yīng)用程序提供了一個(gè)小而且是自足的地圖生成模板。

Data Formats

　　The map server supports a variety of data in both raster image and vector formats. The vector data appear crisp and precise regardless of the resolution of the image and is ideal for representing such elements as cities and towns, roads and streets, populated areas and country boundaries.

　　Examples of vector data include US Census/Tiger data, which provides street-level detail for the entire continental United States, as well as NIMA's Digital Chart of the World (VMap0 / VPF) that provides country, shoreline, political boundary, population, transportation and industry, vegetation and other data for the entire world. Both datasets are available for use with the GLG Map Server.

　　The raster image data can greatly enhance the look and sophistication of a map image by providing vivid and colorful details to compliment the additional vector data (roads, etc.) overlaid on top of the image. One example of raster image data is a NASA Earth Image dataset, which is frequently used in various Earth images. The map server provides several special alpha-blending and transparency modes for overlaying semi-transparent weather maps on top of other raster and vector layers.

　　Elevation data is a special case of the raster image data which can be used to display elevation as color-coded thresholds or shaded relief image. It may also be used to query elevation of a particular point on the map.

Web-Server or Stand-Alone Library API Usage Mode

　　The GLG Map Server can operate both as a web-based GIS Map Server or stand-alone library API. In the stand-alone mode, the map server can be used as a C/C++ library  linked with a program: this mode may be used for applications installed on local machines that want to avoid using an Internet connection to receive map images. When linked with an application as a library, the map server does not require any connections to the outside world, providing a small and self-contained map generation module for real-time and embedded applications.